The Innovative Church
By Jim LaDoux
Scott Cormode, author of The Innovative Church, suggests that the church as we know it is calibrated for a world that no longer exists and needs to recalibrated in order to address the questions that animate today's congregants. Scott Cormode explores the role of Christian practices in recalibrating the church for the twenty-first century, offering church leaders innovative ways to express the never-changing gospel to their ever-changing congregations. Listed below are a few of my takeaways from the book.
TEN TAKEAWAYS FROM THE BOOK
1 | The best way to predict the future is to invent it
The pandemic jarred church leaders out of their complacency. Covid reminded us that we cannot stand still while the world changes around us.
2 | Leaders must become who their people they serve need them to be
3 | The church as we know it is calibrated for a world that no longer exists
Almost everything about the current experience of church was established in a bygone era: the way we worship, the passages of Scripture we cherish, and the people we expect to see. List the norms that shape people's experience of worship, faith formation, building community, and hospitality. Then, ask your team:
4 | The pace of change is accelerating
Something new rolls over us even as we are still reeling from the last thing. In the past, the church had time to adjust between changes. It could absorb the initial shock of social change, wait for things to settle into an equilibrium, and then learn from those who had already adjusted to that new reality. But the wait - and - copy strategy will not work anymore.
5 | Church members/leaders need to think like farmers
We are tending the people whom God has entrusted to our care . But we cannot make the people grow. There is no guaranteed outcome. We nurture our people by creating an environment conducive to growth , then we hand our people over to God.
What types of conditions can we create that would help people experience God, deepen friendships, and serve others?
What's in our control? What do we need to turn over to God?
6 | Vision inspires people to participate in something that is larger than themselves
7 | People don’t resist change; they resist loss
8 | We should listen so that we will be transformed by what we hear
9 | The goal of Christian innovation is to invite our people into a new story
10 | Innovative churches help people make spiritual sense of their everyday lives
The pandemic jarred church leaders out of their complacency. Covid reminded us that we cannot stand still while the world changes around us.
- If you were starting a new church, how would you intentionally design it to reach the people God has called you to serve?
- What drew you to the church? What would cause you to leave?
- What has Covid taught you about what to let go of or leave behind?
2 | Leaders must become who their people they serve need them to be
- Who has God entrusted us to serve? What do we have to offer?
- How does our church add vitality/value to their life?
- Do we know people well enough to truly care for them?
3 | The church as we know it is calibrated for a world that no longer exists
Almost everything about the current experience of church was established in a bygone era: the way we worship, the passages of Scripture we cherish, and the people we expect to see. List the norms that shape people's experience of worship, faith formation, building community, and hospitality. Then, ask your team:
- Which norms no longer serve a purpose?
- What assumptions do we hold that are no longer true?
- How might you improve upon existing norms?
- Which actions and approach may lead to greater impact and reach?
4 | The pace of change is accelerating
Something new rolls over us even as we are still reeling from the last thing. In the past, the church had time to adjust between changes. It could absorb the initial shock of social change, wait for things to settle into an equilibrium, and then learn from those who had already adjusted to that new reality. But the wait - and - copy strategy will not work anymore.
- How might we SPEED UP decision-making, implementation, and evaluation?
- How might we SLOW DOWN to be more mindful, present, and reflective?
5 | Church members/leaders need to think like farmers
We are tending the people whom God has entrusted to our care . But we cannot make the people grow. There is no guaranteed outcome. We nurture our people by creating an environment conducive to growth , then we hand our people over to God.
What types of conditions can we create that would help people experience God, deepen friendships, and serve others?
What's in our control? What do we need to turn over to God?
6 | Vision inspires people to participate in something that is larger than themselves
- Does your church have a clear, compelling vision that energizes people?
- Do your leaders know and share the vision with others?
- Is your vision memorable and repeatable?
7 | People don’t resist change; they resist loss
- What kinds of "loss" are people clinging to? Why?
- What might help them grieve? Let go? Move on?
- How often do you have "funerals" for programs and activities that need to end?
- How often do your leaders ask, "Is there a better way of doing ministry?"
8 | We should listen so that we will be transformed by what we hear
- What would happen if leaders talked less and listened more?
- Who isn't always given a voice in your church? In your community?
- In what ways is active listening a sign of humility?
9 | The goal of Christian innovation is to invite our people into a new story
- What is the hope we bring to people in their lives?
- How do we help individuals and churches reframe their identity and their lives?
10 | Innovative churches help people make spiritual sense of their everyday lives
- Which approaches and practices does your church need to "recalibrate?"
- What do leaders need to pay closer attention to?
- What should leaders be measuring? Celebrating?
QUESTIONS | APPLICATIONS
- Does your church help people connect your vision to what you say and do?
- What's the new story you'd like to write for your congregation?
- List ways your church helps people make sense of their everyday lives.
- Which of the 10 takeaways do you find more relevant to your setting?
- What norms does your church have related to the practice of listening?
RECENT
The Relational Pastor
October 16th, 2024
Improve your emotional intelligence with a plan
October 8th, 2024
Leading Faithful Innovation
September 25th, 2024
Share your generosity stories
September 22nd, 2024
A Spirituality of Living
May 15th, 2024
APR - 50 focused coaching questions
May 2nd, 2024
The Innovative Church
April 24th, 2024
Teams That Thrive
April 17th, 2024
Everything Isn't Terrible
April 9th, 2024
6 shifts churches need to navigate
April 3rd, 2024
Checklists for onboarding members and leaders
March 27th, 2024
The Elevation Approach
March 26th, 2024
The Art of Gathering
March 13th, 2024
The Art of Noticing (Part 2)
March 12th, 2024
Managing Leadership Anxiety
March 11th, 2024
Facilitate short, stand-up meetings
March 10th, 2024
Use scripts to help people share their stories
March 6th, 2024
Deepen friendships and engagement
February 28th, 2024
Sabbath, finding rhythms of rest
February 21st, 2024
The Art of Noticing (Part 1)
February 12th, 2024
ARCHIVE
2024
January
February
March
April
2023
July
August
September
October
November
2022
January
Take time to assess your lifeUse sprints to move fasterMeasure what mattersAsk your friends WATER questionsQuestions to ask your teamIs your church is stuck?4 questions to ask faith mentorsDevelop active listening skills2 ways to make better decisionsMy 5 daily questionsHelping people changeCreate daily Sabbath momentsReframe your futureReframe your church's future
February
Write better emailsA blueprint for forming faithCreate safe space for clientsBecoming a virtual organization5 barriers to extending hospitalityDevelop your coaching presence5 phrases to use when coachingCreate ministry road mapsHelp clients ask better questionsIndicators of spiritual maturity10 Giving metrics to review annually
No Comments